2 Religion And Social Change Flashcards
Religion as a conservative force in 2 ways
1 In sense of being traditional- traditional customs, institutes, moral views
2 conservative as functions to maintain things as they are- maintaining status quo
Religion’s conservative beliefs
Traditional conservative beliefs e.g. Catholic Church forbids divorce/ abortion/ artificial contraception
Family values- patriarchal domestic division of labour- Hinduism arranged marriage
Religion’s conservative functions
Functioning to conserve things as they are
- view of religion held by marx func and fem
- contributes to social stability
Religion and consensus
Func- religion conservative force maintaining social stability and preventing disintegration e.g. Promoting social solidarity by creating value consensus and helping people with stress
Marx and fem see it as an ideology supporting existing social structure as a means of social control in interest of powerful
- religion and capitalism- prevents social change. Legitimating inequality- false consciousness and prevent revolution
- religion and patriarchy- legitimates patriarchal power and maintains female subordination in family and society
Weber; religion as a force for change
Weber 1905 in protestant ethic and spirit of capitalism- religious beliefs of Calvinism helped bring social change. - emergence of modern capitalism in north Europe
Modern capitalism is based on systematic/ efficient/ rational pursuit of profit for its own sake rather than for spending on luxuries - called the spirit of capitalism
X TAWNEY 1962 says technological changed first led to capitalism. Bourgeoise adopted calvinism ideas to legitimate pursuit of economic gain
Calvinist beliefs
God predetermines who will be saved the elect’ and individuals can’t change it
No human being could possibly claim to know God’s will- leaving calvinists to feel unprecedented inner loneliness- called salvation panic
Abstinence, self discipline and denial
Idea of calling to serve God in everyday work not the monastery. Vocation means constant methodical work in occupation.
They led an ascetic lifestyle shunning luxury , working long hours and practising religious self discipline
1. Accumulated wealth but not spent on luxuries - reinvented in business to produce profit
2 prospered and came to see this as sign of God’s favour and their salvation
Hinduism and Confucianism
Hinduism - india was ascetic but other worldy - directing followers to spiritual world
Confucianism- this worldly religion directed folowers to material world but jo ascetic
Religion and social protest
Bruce 2003 religion and social change
American civil rights movement
Black civil right movement 1950/60s end racial segregation as blacks denied legal and political rights in many Southern states e.g. Schools segregated, interracial marriages forbidden and excluded from voting
-> 1955 began- protest marches, boycotts and demonstrations- 1964 segregation outlawed
-> black clergy led by Martin Luther King backbone of movement - shamed whites to change law by appealing to Christian values of equality
Bruce sees religion as
An ideological resource
- beliefs that protesters could draw on for motivation and legitimation
Religions can contribute to change:
> taking moral high ground- pointing out hypocrisy of white clergy who supported racial segregation
> channeling dissent- martin luther funeral rallying point for civil rights cause
> acting as honest broker - respected by both sides
> mobilising public opinion- campaigning support
New Christian right
Politically and morally conservative fundamentalist group
Since 1960
Take USA back to God make homo divorce and abortion illegal.
Traditional family roles
Teaching creationism
Televangalism - church owned TV stations
Unsuccessful only 15% support
American democracy means comfortable legalising activities
Marxism religion and change
Marxists recognise religious ideas can have relative autonomy- partly independent of capitalist economic society
Religion can have dual character- force for change and stability
Ernst bloch the principle of hope
1959
Religion has a dual character
Inhibits change
Also inspires protest and rebellion
- expression of hope - dreams of a better life- images of utopia
Images of utopia deceiving- promising rewards in heaven also vision for a better world to strive for social change
Liberation theology
Catholic Church in latin america very conservative encouraging poverty and elites acceptance
Emerged in 1960 with strong commitment to poor and opposition to military dictatorship that did rule continent then
Emerged due to poverty and urban slums and human rights abuses from military take overs
Emphasised Praxis- practical action guided by theory e.g. Priests leading literacy programmes and raising political awareness
Resisted dictatorship and brought democracy
Millenarian movements
Worsley 1968
Expect total imminent transformation of world by supernatural means creating heaven or earth
- appeal mainly to poor as promise immediate improvement- cargo cults- millenarian movements in Melanesia - islanders deprived when cargo arrived for colonists
Cargo cults asserted cargo been meant for natives but diverted by whites for selves
Gramsci religion and hegemony
1971 Maintain control through coercion Hegemony- ideological domination- using religion as control 192030s catholic church power helped win support for facist regime But some circumstances challenge ruling class - may help WC see through ruling class hegemony Some clergy act as organic intellectuals - leaders who support working class organisations
